CFO² Hosted by W. Karl Baker, CPA

There are a few key ratios and metrics to understand when evaluating a real estate investment opportunity.  It is important to understand these metrics as an investor, and it is important to understand how lenders use these metrics to evaluate an investment.  In this episode, we discuss these metrics: how to calculate, what they mean, why they matter, and how to use them in an investment evaluation.

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

Do you get those big bank pre-qualification letters like I do? They are very promising and exciting.  You're pre-qualified for huge dollars! Apply now! Fast funding! Great rates! 

The reality can be very different than the marketing piece promises, and it is very important to understand that.  There may be more strategically beneficial paths for the funding you seek.  Let's talk about that.

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

Do you invest in single family homes?  Did you know there are multiple financing options for purchasing those homes?  Unlike other investment property financing options, you can borrow under your personal name or under your business name.  Which is the better option? We'll talk about those options and teach you how to make that decision.

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

You should listen to this!

Your financial statements tell a story, and you want them to reflect the real one!  You need to manage your business with accurate data.  When you approach a lender, you have one shot. 

[email protected]

617-386-7145

In this episode, we discuss common mistakes made in real estate investing.  There are a lot of moving parts when investing in real estate.  Topics include initial strategy, planning, knowing your numbers, contracting, timing expectations, financing, options, and many more.   

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

In this episode, we discuss factors to decide when beginning to invest in residential real estate, such as property strategies, understanding your why, sources of funding, personal vs. business borrowing, financing terms for long term rentals and fix and flip loans.  We also ask the question to consider once you own the property: self direct vs. outsourced management. 

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

We provide some thoughts about commercial real estate investing and financing - economic and tax advantages/strategies, types of properties, lender decision factors, and bank vs. non-bank lender considerations.  We offer these thoughts to educate and encourage people to consider investing in real estate. 

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

In this episode, we summarize the Four C's - Cash Flow, Credit, Collateral, & Capacity of Borrower.  Sounds easy enough, but every lender evaluates a lending deal in the context of these criteria, and they weigh them all differently.  It is important to understand these factors when determining which type of financing to apply for & how to qualify.  Understanding how a lender thinks will help you prepare. 

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

You have an idea about starting a business.  Now what?  In this episode we will talk about how to get started: what are the tasks and steps to getting a business started, how to avoid credit pitfalls, and how to strategically finance the business.  

W. Karl Baker

[email protected]

[email protected].

Call us at (314) 403-7745

Why are we doing a show?  To help you!  We want to have a conversation with you as business owners and investors about how to qualify for financings and how to navigate through issues you face as business owners. In this episode, we expand on this why.  We give a case study that Karl experienced many years ago that described his first experience seeking a business financing.  Lots of lessons learned then and many since then.  We want to share them with you.